Apparatus for filling containers



May l1, 1948. NUsBAUM 2,441,204

APIARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS Filed May 17, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l May l1, 1948.

L. NUSBAUM APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS gril Filed May 17, 1944 Patentedv y lli, 1948 APPARATUS FOR FILLING CUNTAINERS Lee Nusbaum, Philadelphia, Pa. `implication May 17, 1944, Serial No. 535,933

In the filling of containers under pressure and particularly where the container is to be filled with a fluid material, such' as a propellant, which is in liquid form at the storage pressure in the container but in a gaseous state at normal atmospheric pressure, many difficulties have here- 4 clamigg. (ci. ass-F210) c" tings Il are adapted for connecting distributing tofore been encountered. While it is possible to v fill a single container with such material it has heretofore been. exceedingly difficult to ll a plurality of containers simultaneously while at the same time maintaining an equal distribution to and in the respective containers. It is also frequently desired to include as a portion of the contents other materials in fluid form for distribution by the propellant as aerosols. These other materials may be introduced separately or with the propellant as desired.

This invention therefore relates to apparatus for filling containers, and more particularly to apparatus for simultaneously filling a plurality of containers each with an equal quantity of material.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which':

Figure 1 is a top or plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical central sectional view through a manifold employed in connection with the invention; and

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line lli-d of Fig. 3.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely, changes may be made in th'e structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the containers i3 which it is desired to fill with fluid materials at pressures above atmospheric, preferably consist of' pressure vessels capable of withstanding the desired pressures in accordance with the lling material. These pressure vessels I@ are preferably of metal, may be provided with safety plugs il or the like for relief if the internal `pressure becomes excessive, and are preferably also provided with' suitable valves I2 having manually operable handles i3 for controlling the discharge of the contents, and also for use in filling or refilling as hereinafter pointed out.

- The valves i2 have threaded nipples it to which suitable fittings I3, internally threaded, are adapted to be detachably secured. The f1tand that various modifications and pipes i6 to the nipples Il.

The distributing pipes I8 also each have connected thereto suitable fittings i1 and I8. The fittings il are internally threaded for engagement with threaded nipples i9 on the fittings I8 and the fittings I8 also have threaded nipples 20 for engagement in internally threaded portions 2l in a manifold 22. The manifold 22 is preferably formed of a suitable block of material.

'The manifold 22 preferably includes a central distributing vchamber 25 from which a plurality of horizontal passageways 26 are provided leading radially from the central chamber 25 at the same elevation to the interiors of th'e fittings I8. The passageways 26 preferably serve as restrictions for controlling the delivery of the fluent material.

The lower end of the distributing chamber 25 below the inner terminal ends of the passageways 23 is preferably dished as at 2l, it having been found that this dished shape aids in the equal distribution of the fluid materials to the containers I0. A supply connection 30 is provided h'aving a threaded portion 3| for connection to the manifold 22 and to the upper end of the distributing chamber 25. The supply connection 30 may, if' desired, have a screen 33 of metal or other suitable' material secured to the lower end thereof. The supply connection 38 also has a threaded nipple 32 for the connection thereto of a suitable supply pipe 3d.

The supply pipe 3d preferably has connected thereto, through a flexible connection 35, a plurality of pipes 36, 31 and 38, the flow through which is controlled by valves 33, 30 and 4I. The pipes 36 and 3l may be employed for supplying different fluent materials and the pipe 38 may be connected to a source of vacuum for exhausting prior to the introduction of the fluent materials under pressure, or if desired for the introduction of other fluent materials.

A weighing scale pan d5' may be provided for use in determining the weight of the material supplied to the containers Ill.

The mode of operation of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention will now be pointed out. The containers ill with the safety plugs il in place and with the valves i2 mounted thereon are each in turn secured-in positiJn, the fittings i5 being brought into en gagement with the nipples It and tightened.

The valves i2 of the containers are all opened by means of the handles i3, and theV weighing scale pan l5 is placed in position to support' the containers as thus mounted. The flexible corinection 35 permits ascertaining the initial weight in unfilled condition of the containers i0 and associated structure movable therewith.

The valves 39 and 43 are in closed condition.

The valve 3| maybe opened for exhausting through the pipe 32 the interior of thesystem including the containers I 0, the distributing pipes I6, the manifold 22, and the supply pipe 34 preparatory to supplying the material for filling the containers i0. When the exhausting has been completed the valve 4I is closed. The valve 40 may then be opened for supplying uent material from the pipe 31 through the pipe 34 to the distributing chamber 25. This material, if desired may be an insecticidal constituent, such as pyrethrin, or may be any other desired material. The fluid material from the pipe 31 is delivered through the pipe 34 to the distributing chamber 25 oi the manifold 22, then passes outwardly through the psageways 26, which aid in the proportional distribution, through the fittings I3 and Il and the distributing pipes i6, and through the fittings I5 and the valves I2 to the interiors of the containers I0. When the desired quantity of material to be supplied from the pipe 31, has been introduced, as indicated by the action of the scale pan` 45 the valve l0 is closed.

If desired the valves I2 may be closed and the distributing pipes I6, the manifold 22 and the supply pipe 34 may again be exhausted.

To introduce another ailing material, with the valves I2 open the valve 39 is opened for the delivery of uent material from the pipe 36 and through the pipe 34 in the same manner as heretofore pointed out. This material, if desired, may be a propellant such as Freon, methyl chloride or .the like. When the desired total quantity of material has been delivered into the containers I as indicated by the increased weight of the containers and their associated structure upon the scale pan I the valve 39 is closed.

The valves I2 are then closed by means of the handles I3 and if desired the valve 4I may again be opened for exhausting the material remaining in the pipe 34, in the manifold 22 and in the distributing pipes I6.

The containers I0 may then be removed by disconnecting the fittings I5 and are ready for the installation of nozzles (not shown) k ii' desired or for shipping. The same procedure is employed for relling the containers I0 as for the initial iilling and it will be clear that the operations may be performed quickly and with a minimum of` waste or discharge of material into the atmosphere. At the same time it has been found in practice that with a plurality of containers equal quantities of` different uent materials desired will be delivered to the respective containers within close tolerances.

I claim:

l. In an apparatus for simultaneously lling a plurality of containers from a source of liqueed ililing material under pressure, a manifold block member connected to said source and having separate fluid delivery connections to each of said containers, said manifold block being closed at the bottom and having a central fluid distributing chamber formed therein, a central filling-material inlet at the top of said chamber, and a plurality of horizontal restricted ilow controlling passageways formed in said block memherv and extending radially outwardly from said chamber at the same elevation, each of said passageways being in communication with one of said fluid delivery connections. and the portion of said chamber beneath the inlets of said passageways being of concave shape.

2. In apparatus for simultaneously illling under pressure a plurality of fluid containers from a source of liquefied filling material under pressure, the means for effecting uniform filling of the containers including a manifold member connected to said source and having separate iluid delivery connections to each of said containers, said manifold member having a central uid distributing chamber, a central filling ma..

terial inlet at the top of said chamber, and `a plurality of restricted flow controlling passageways extending horizontally radially outwardly :from said chamber at the same elevation for regulating the flow of filling material to said containers, each of said passageways being in communication with one of said fluid delivery connections, and the portion of said chamber beneath the inlets of said passageways being of concave shape.

3. In apparatus for simultaneously filling under pressure a plurality of fluid containers from a source of liquefied lling material under pressure, a one piece manifold block member connected to said source and having separate fluid delivery connections to each of said containers, said manifold block member being closed at the bottom and having a central iluid distributing chamber formed therein, a central inlet at the top of said chamber in communication with the said chamber, and a plurality of horizontal flow controlling passageways extending radially outwardly from said chamber at the same elevation, each of said passageways comprising a fixed restriction formed in said manifold block member and incommunication with one of said fluid delivery connections, the portion of said chamber beneath the inlets of said passageways being of concave shape.

4. In apparatus lfor simultaneously filling under pressure a plurality of fluid containers from a source of liquefied filling material under pressure, a. manifold connected to said source and having separate fluid delivery connections to each of said containers, said manifold having a central uid distributing chamber, a central inlet at the top of said chamber in communication with said chamber, and a plurality of flow controlling passageways extending radially outwardly from said chamber for regulating the ow of filling material to said containers, each of said passageways being in communication with one of said uid delivery connections, and the portion of said chamber beneath the inlets of said passageways being of concave shape.

LEE NUSBAUM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 

